The greater Raleigh-Durham area could see more baseball if Holly Springs moves ahead with a plan to build a new ballpark for a summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League team. We’re talking modest here — the city has about 25,000 residents, but is expecting growth as the nearly Research Triangle expands — as in a 2,500-seat ballpark […]
Tag Archives | 2014
Lakewood, Phillies extend PDC
We expect to see a lot of stories like this in the next two weeks: the Lakewood BlueClaws (Low Class A; Sally League) and the Philadelphia Phillies extended their player-development contract though 2014. No one was seriously entertaining the thought that the two would not renew. The Philies and BlueClaws have been affiliated since 2001, […]
Effort to thwart new El Paso ballpark falls short
A petition drive to put the issue of a new El Paso ballpark directly to voters — and changing the deal with the potential owners of a Triple-A team retroactively — came up short. Organizers, who also put together an “Occupy City Hall” movement in recent days to also express their displeasure, needed to come […]
Lake Elsinore, Padres extend PDC
More affiliation news: the San Diego Padres and Lake Elsinore Storm (High Class A; Cal League) have extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2014 season. “We have built a great winning tradition over the last 12 years with the Padres, winning two Cal League Championships and getting into the playoffs 10 of the 11 […]
Lake Charles eying pro ball
Lake Charles officials have begun preliminary discussions of independent North American League baseball in that Louisiana city, an effort that would include a new ballpark. The last pro team in Lake Charles was the Lake Charles Giants, who played in 1957 at Legion Field. That ballpark still exists, but it’s not suitable for the pro […]
Giants, GreenJackets extend PDC
It’s two more years for the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) and the San Francisco Giants, who renewed their player development contract (PDC) through the 2014 season. “We’re pleased to have the San Francisco Giants back with us to continue our partnership and the development of future major leaguers here in Augusta.” said GreenJackets […]
Wilmington, Mandalay delay ballpark decision
Unable to reach a final accord, the city of Wilmington (N.C.) and Mandalay Baseball Properties will put off signing a memorandum of understanding on a new ballpark — but the bond issue will still be on the fall ballot. The two sides have been negotiating for weeks on the parameters of a ballpark deal. And […]
Lee County to Nats: We really, really love you
Lee County still wants to see the Washington Nationals as a tenant at City of Palms Park, but with little money for upgrades, county and Fort Myers officials are embarking on a new strategy: convince the Nats front office they are loved. It’s a common strategy: when you don’t have the money to address a […]
Lugnuts, Blue Jays extend PDC
The Lansing Lugnuts (Low Class A: Midwest League) and the Toronto Blue Jays are extending their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2014 season. “We are proud to continue our partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays,” said Lansing Lugnuts Co-Owner Tom Dickson. “They’re a top notch Major League organization who are outstanding to work with, and […]
PCL approves El Paso purchase of T-Padres
This pretty much wraps it up: the Pacific Coast League has preliminarily approved the purchase of the Tucson Padres by MountainStar Sports Group, which plans on moving the Triple-A franchise to El Paso in 2014. The ownership group received approval of its Preliminary Application Review (“PAR”). Branch B. Rickey, president of the PCL, sent a […]
Negotiations fail to yield agreement on Wilmington ballpark lease
Talks between Wilmington (N.C.) officials and Mandalay Baseball Properties on a lease for a proposed downtown ballpark have failed to result in a lease agreement, but negotiations will continue. The two sides are discussing a deal for a new ballpark for the relocating Lynchburg Hillcats (High Class A; Carolina League), with the team owned by the Atlanta Braves and the […]
P-Nats ballpark plan to be unveiled tomorrow
A new-ballpark plan for the Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) is set to be unveiled tomorrow, as the Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center development will be named as the location. A press conference has been scheduled by Prince William County, the P-Nats and the state department of transportation to announce the ballpark deal as […]
Hoteliers: We’re don’t want to pay for new El Paso ballpark
Hotel and motel owners are opposing a hike in the local hotel tax to help pay for a new downtown El Paso ballpark housing a Pacific Coast League team, but it’s not clear whether they have the political muscle to kill the proposal. Taxing visitors via hotel and car taxes is always a popular way […]